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This research shows that although the used and unused versions of a digital good (e.g. virtual apparel) are identical in every pixel and functionality, consumers tend to prefer the unused version. This "genesis effect" occurs because consumers tend to perceive used (vs. unused) digital goods as virtually contaminated and because being permanently listed as the first (vs. subsequent) owner in the ownership record can confer a greater sense of status. Specifically, in study 1, analyses of large-scale field data on purchases of digital goods in the metaverse showed that consumers paid substantially more to acquire the unused (vs. used) version of the same good. Studies 2–4 causally demonstrated the genesis effect and its underlying mechanism across metaverse product categories—participants were less likely to purchase digital goods described as used (vs. unused). Virtual contamination and virtual status jointly mediated the effect. Furthermore, being the first—at the genesis of a digital product's usage history—was particularly special, such that participants were less sensitive to increases in the number of prior owners after the first one. Finally, showing participants that a used good had been digitally reconstituted attenuated the genesis effect. These findings add to the literature on consumer behavior in the metaverse and offer managerial insights on digital goods marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last half-century, consumer research has often depicted scarcity as a dominant factor increasing price. But should we assume that scarcity's upward pressure on price remains intact, in a world where novel forms of digital products proliferate? In this article, we propose that blockchain-encrypted digital goods, in particular, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), offer good reason to revisit this assumption. In this context, we argue and find that social value can outweigh intrinsic value as a determinant of willingness-to-pay. As a result, when scarcity threatens access to high levels of social value, its effect on price can be negative rather than positive—an inversion of a pattern typically observed for offline collectibles. Secondary data taken from the NFT platform Opensea and a set of experimental studies support this social value-based lens. Given these findings, we propose a research agenda to ground future work in this area. We also suggest that NFTs offer a laboratory in which past theories related to social value, scarcity, and price can be reconsidered and future theories developed, hopefully allowing consumer researchers to lead knowledge development in these domains over the next 50 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We cover all things "digital assets," including IRS notices, nonfungible tokens (NFTs), the Infrastructure and Investments Jobs Act, IRS Tax Tips, Biden administration proposals, recent Congressional activity, and IRS proposed regulations on brokers' reporting requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crypto assets market is growing rapidly, exposing investors to new risks. As a result, finding viable candidates to hedge and diversify crypto portfolios is a critical and timely topic. In this paper, we explore the potential of gold-backed cryptocurrencies as safe haven assets in the context of building a diversified digital assets portfolio. Empirically, we investigate the financial properties (diversification, safe haven, and hedging capabilities) of two gold-backed cryptocurrencies against the three main digital assets categories, i.e. traditional cryptocurrencies, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) tokens, considering major external and internal crises. We also estimate the hedge ratios and the hedging effectiveness of the considered pairs. Overall, our findings indicate that the examined gold-backed cryptocurrencies are good diversifiers, with varying hedging, and safe haven properties depending on the nature of the crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine War, as well as the digital asset category considered. Several financial implications for investors and policymakers are proposed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are becoming increasingly popular as a way to represent and own digital property. However, the usage of NFTs also prompts questions about privacy. In this work, we show that it is possible to use NFTs to retrieve enough information to fingerprint users. By doing so, we can uniquely associate users with blockchain accounts. This would allow linking several blockchain accounts to the same user. This work focuses on the vulnerabilities presented by some popular NFT marketplaces. Since NFTs may have HTML files embedded, they allow the use of fingerprinting techniques if not handled carefully. Finally, we provide recommendations and countermeasures for the different actors in this ecosystem to avoid these kinds of tracking methods and, in doing so, safeguard user privacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to analyse the dynamic connectedness relationship (DCR) between cryptocurrency, NFT, and DeFi assets. In the study, two cryptocurrencies consisting of Bitcoin and Ethereum, two NFTs consisting of Tezos and The Sandbox, and two DeFi assets consisting of Chainlik and Uniswap were analysed. The results showed that Ethereum cryptocurrency and Chainlink DeFi assets spilled volatility to other crypto assets. The other variables were assets that received volatility, and the volatility spillover relationship between NFT assets is less than other crypto assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are immutable and transferable tokens on blockchain networks, have been used to certify the ownership of digital images often grouped in collections. Depending on individual interests, wallets explore and purchase NFTs in one or more image collections. Among many potential factors of shaping purchase trajectories, this paper specifically examines how visual similarities between collections affect wallets' explorations. Our model characterizes each wallet's explorations with a Lévy flight and shows that wallets tend to favor collections having similar visual features to their previous purchases while their behaviors vary widely. The model also predicts the extent to which the next collection is close to the most recent collection of purchases with respect to visual features. These results are expected to enhance and support recommendation systems for the NFT market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain technology holds significant promise for healthcare by enhancing the security and integrity of patient health records (PHRs) through decentralized storage and transparent access. However, it has substantial limitations, including problems with scalability, high transaction costs, privacy concerns, and intricate stakeholder access management. This study presents PHR-NFT, a novel framework that strengthens PHR privacy by utilizing Hyperledger Fabric and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to address these issues. PHR-NFT improves privacy and communication by letting patients keep control of their medical records while permitting temporary, permission-based access by medical professionals. PHR-NFT offers a transparent solution that increases trust among healthcare stakeholders through the robust and decentralized architecture of the Hyperledger Fabric. This study demonstrates the viability and effectiveness of the PHR-NFT framework through performance evaluations focused on transaction latency, throughput, and security. This research has valuable implications for enhancing data privacy and security in healthcare practices and insightful information about blockchain-based healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a novel framework for implementing decentralized algorithms based on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for digital twin management in aviation, with a focus on component lifecycle tracking. The proposed approach uses NFTs to create unique, immutable digital representations of physical aviation components capturing real-time records of a component's entire lifecycle, from manufacture to retirement. This paper outlines detailed workflows for key processes, including part tracking, maintenance records, certification and compliance, supply chain management, flight logs, ownership and leasing, technical documentation, and quality assurance. This paper introduces a class of algorithms designed to manage the complex relationships between physical components, their digital twins, and associated NFTs. A unified model is presented to demonstrate how NFTs are created and updated across various stages of a component's lifecycle, ensuring data integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. This paper also discusses the architecture of the proposed system, exploring the relationships between data sources, digital twins, blockchain, NFTs, and other critical components. It further examines the main challenges of the NFT-based approach and outlines future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The proliferation of non-fungible token (NFT)-based crypto-art platforms has transformed how creators manage, own and earn money through the creation, assets and identity of their digital works. Despite this, no studies have examined the drivers of continuous content contribution behavior (CCCB) toward NFTs. Hence, this study draws on the theory of relational bonds to examine how various relational bonds affect feelings of psychological ownership, which, in turn, affects CCCB on metaverse platforms. Design/methodology/approach: Using structural equation modeling and importance-performance matrix analysis, an online survey of 434 content creators from prominent NFT platforms empirically validated the research hypotheses. Findings: Financial, structural, and social bonds positively affect psychological ownership, which in turn encourages CCCBs. The results of the importance-performance matrix analysis reveal that male content creators prioritized virtual reputation and social enhancement, whereas female content creators prioritized personalization and monetary gains. Originality/value: We examine Web 3.0 and the NFT creators' network that characterizes the governance practices of the metaverse. Consequently, the findings facilitate a better understanding of creator economy and meta-verse commerce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractParticipation in research is supposed to be voluntary and informed. Yet it is difficult to ensure people are adequately informed about the potential uses of their biological materials when they donate samples for future research. We propose a novel consent framework which we call “demonstrated consent” that leverages blockchain technology and generative AI to address this problem. In a demonstrated consent model, each donated sample is associated with a unique non-fungible token (NFT) on a blockchain, which records in its metadata information about the planned and past uses of the sample in research, and is updated with each use of the sample. This information is accessible to a large language model (LLM) customized to present this information in an understandable and interactive manner. Thus, our model uses blockchain and generative AI technologies to track, make available, and explain information regarding planned and past uses of donated samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of electronic health (e-health) systems in the last decades led to the emergence of effective infrastructures for managing health records. Due to the vitality and massive amount of healthcare records, blockchain is considered one of the most important infrastructures to store and exchange health records. Access to patient's medical histories and health record management are essential to healthcare systems. Patients' records must be exchanged among various parts of the healthcare system and users should have access to manage their profiles and use online facilities in a secure manner. In this paper, for the first time, the non-fungible token (NFT), which is a nascent technology, is used to certify the information immutability of healthcare records in the blockchain infrastructure. The ownership of property and prevention of information disclosure is guaranteed using the encryption strategy is used in the proposed NFT technology. Furthermore, the proposed model satisfies all security criteria such as data integrity, non-repudiation, anonymity, confidentially and privacy. As a result, the proposed model outperforms the related research in the healthcare domain. The proposed model brings many facilities for both patients and physicians such as secure accessibility, data quality, patient consent, efficient record management and better availability and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Over the past years, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have sparked growing interest in the sport industry. NFTs are unique digital assets verified using blockchain technology. Each NFT has a distinct identifier that sets it apart from other tokens, documenting its uniqueness and ownership. NFTs promise innovative growth opportunities by generating revenue via novel products such as digital collectibles which can be owned and traded on dedicated platforms. Despite this promising outlook, it currently seems unclear how sports NFTs should be designed and which features they should offer to align with consumer values, effectively meet their needs and ultimately drive Purchase Intention. This study will therefore attempt to answer the following research question: Which consumer values and consumer needs have a positive impact on PI of sports NFTs? Based on the results, the study seeks to offer advice on concrete characteristics sports NFTs should possess in order to foster mainstream adoption. Design/methodology/approach: To address the current gap in the literature and provide an answer to the research question, this paper uses structural equation modelling exploring the impact of consumer values and consumer needs or wants on purchase intention regarding sports NFTs. Findings: The results of this study indicate that social needs or wants (SNW) have the strongest impact on purchase intention, as well as on experiential and functional needs or wants. NFTs should therefore possess characteristics that foster community, interaction and connection with other team or athlete supporters while enhancing the overall consumer experience. Incorporating these elements into future NFTs can help sports organizations tap into the social SNW of consumers by providing opportunities for connection, interaction and collective experiences within supporter communities. Research limitations/implications: Due to the low response rate of Baby Boomers, the results of the study cannot be applied to this cohort. Additional research, potentially using physical in-stadium surveys and targeted specifically at the BB cohort may shed light on their particular values, needs or wants and impact on sports NFT purchase intention. Moreover, Generation Z respondents may statistically be underrepresented in the sample due to the fact that only respondents aged 18 and older were included in the study. Hence, the part of Generation Z, which was born after March 2006 and had not yet come of age at the time of this research, was explicitly excluded from the survey. Results should be applied carefully to the population of sports team or athlete supporters due to the method of data collection which was based on convenience sampling and may therefore not be representative. Since the survey was exclusively administered online, people with no Internet access are not represented in this research. Practical implications: Sports organizations and marketers can leverage the strong impact of SNW identified in this study to position their NFT portfolio accordingly. Using athletes themselves or other influencers as product ambassadors may trigger purchase intention of consumers. Additionally, it is crucial that socializing agents, such as family, friends, colleagues and other team supporters with a strong influence on consumers own or promote NFTs. Marketers can support this adoption process by encouraging testimonials, reviews and user-generated content that showcase how NFTs have positively impacted others. Reaching a critical mass of adoption among supporters as a first step will ultimately impact consumers' desire to satisfy ENW and FNW as well. Consumers may then recognize the benefits of using NFTs to enhance their overall consumer experience and to make their lives easier, for instance by using NFTs as season tickets or to collect loyalty points they can redeem later. Originality/value: This study is the first attempt to determine the relationship between consumer values, consumers' needs or wants and their impact on purchase intention regarding sports NFTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens have gained significant attention and widespread adoption due to their unique characteristics and potential for innovation in numerous industries, including education. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in digital learning resources such as multimedia-rich learning content, audio content, and online course content. The advancement of these learning resources has introduced several copyright challenges, such as copyright ownership, fair use of resources, licensing agreements, open educational resources and Creative Commons licenses, digital piracy, and international considerations. Copyright infringement in educational learning resources poses a significant concern that impacts content creators hugely and raises concerns regarding the quality and reliability of the content. This work proposes a copyright protection framework named EduCopyRight-Chain for educational resources using the Ethereum blockchain and non-fungible tokens to overcome concerning challenges. This work also presents a sharding approach within the proposed framework to enhance scalability. Additionally, this work proposes wallet generation, network joining, educational resource tokenization, and a verification approach by utilizing blockchain and non-fungible tokens. The proposed framework uses a Proof-of-Authority consensus mechanism to validate transactions over the peer-to-peer network, and an inter-planetary file system is used for the decentralized storage of associated records. This framework uses Remix IDE, MetaMask wallet, and the Sepolia test network. We use the BlockSim simulation toolkit to conduct experiments to evaluate the performance of the proposed framework in terms of throughput, latency, response time, and standard deviation. The proposed framework achieves an average throughput of 354.26 TPS, a latency of 62.2 milliseconds, a response time of 124.1 milliseconds, and a standard deviation of 144.2 milliseconds. This work also conducts a comparative analysis to assess security features and limitations between the proposed framework and related work. Our observation reveals that the proposed EduCopyRight-Chain framework has better features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy concept is gaining increasing prominence in academic, corporate, and government circles; however, its dissemination is still limited. There is a lack of studies that address strategies, practices, and enabling technologies guided by the principles of developing processes and products for a more rational use of natural resources, reducing consumption, or promoting their recovery. Technological resources can be a crucial issue in enabling the implementation of circular practices. Companies need to plan IT infrastructure and collaborative platforms that can connect them with different stakeholders and leverage digital technologies such as blockchain. This study aims to analyze platforms based on blockchain technology and their contribution to the implementation of circular economy practices, identifying the design, platform functionalities, and how the platforms are being integrated into companies' circular economy programs. The research approach was qualitative, using multiple case studies. The results indicate that blockchain technology helps achieve circular economy practices by bringing transparency to the system and improving market position. The study also contributes to the emerging platform literature by exploring blockchain platforms with functionalities linked to executing circular practices such as Tokens and NFTs in the context of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating, age‐associated neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia. The clinical continuum of AD spans from preclinical disease to subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia stages (mild, moderate, and severe). Neuropathologically, AD is defined by the accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) into extracellular plaques in the brain parenchyma and in the cerebral vasculature, and by abnormally phosphorylated tau that accumulates intraneuronally forming neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Development of treatment approaches that prevent or even reduce the cognitive decline because of AD has been slow compared to other major causes of death. Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to 2 different Aβ‐targeting monoclonal antibodies. However, this breakthrough disease modifying approach only applies to a limited subset of patients in the AD continuum and there are stringent eligibility criteria. Furthermore, these approaches do not prevent progression of disease, because other AD‐related pathologies, such as NFTs, are not directly targeted. A non‐mutually exclusive alternative is to address lifestyle interventions that can help reduce the risk of AD and AD‐related dementias (ADRD). It is estimated that addressing such modifiable risk factors could potentially delay up to 40% of AD/ADRD cases. In this review, we discuss some of the many modifiable risk factors that may be associated with prevention of AD/ADRD and/or increasing brain resilience, as well as other factors that may interact with these modifiable risk factors to influence AD/ADRD progression. [Color figure can be viewed at www.annalsofneurology.org] ANN NEUROL 2024;96:633–649 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a way to use blockchain-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to address some fundamental failures of the art world introduced when the early-twentieth-century evolution of financial markets expanded to include objets d'art as commodities. It proposes the creation of a distributed autonomous organization (DAO) that uses domain experts' Delphic consensus methods embedded in smart contracts to provide NFTs with meaningful nonfinancial assessments of intrinsic artistic qualities and merit. Full details of the blockchain implementation and organizational development are online, registered at https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/3DF4W with the Open Science Foundation as a large-scale participant/observer social science experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

‘If buying isn’t owning, then piracy isn’t stealing,’ is a common refrain on the internet. With this in mind, the article delves into the landscape of property rights concerning digital assets, debunks common misconceptions and clarifies their legal position in the evolving economy. Through an analysis of their intangible nature, the article argues that digital assets are more akin to intellectual property than to tangible assets. Drawing on a spectrum of case law recognising digital assets as objects of property rights, it examines property law in various legal systems, ranging from common law jurisdictions such as the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, to civil law systems such as Germany, China and Poland. It also explores the notion of digital assets as contractual claims and navigates the complexities of conflicts of laws, advocating for a universal framework to protect digital property and data ownership beyond the realm of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Art Vision is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research demonstrates a method to introduce blockchain technology in the classroom based on the Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP). A blockchain is a digital distributed ledger with the potential to improve transparency and trust between parties. Businesses are testing, piloting, and deploying blockchain technology across their organizations, and students show growing interest in the technology. This teaching brief proposes an exercise that uses POAPs, nonfungible tokens (NFTs) associated with an event, to help students understand blockchain technology within supply chain management contexts. Instructors can use the exercise for various purposes: as incentives for behavior the instructor wishes to encourage (such as attending class) or as prizes for games. The exercise also includes a glossary of blockchain‐related terms to introduce the language of this industry to students. Student surveys showed a significant change in their knowledge of blockchain technology, specifically, a 41% increase in understanding of how blockchain technology may benefit supply chain management and a 35% improvement in the ability to explain blockchain technology to others. This brief concludes with resources to create and distribute POAPs for courses and other settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NFTs (non-fungible tokens) enable the commercialization of goods and services through blockchain technology, enhancing the security, transparency, and speed of transactions. The primary challenge NFTs face is their connection to the underlying asset, ensuring that transferring the token also means transferring the linked asset. This interdisciplinary article examines the technical and legal challenges of creating and linking a digital asset to an NFT. To explain the binding process, an NFT associated with a digital artwork was created, and relevant internal and uniform legal regulations were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necessary improvements should be made to increase the effectiveness of non-fungible tokens on the Metaverse platform without having extra costs. For the purpose of handing this process more efficiently, there is a need to determine the most important factors for a more successful integration of non-fungible tokens into this platform. Accordingly, this study aims to determine the appropriate the identity management choices of non-fungible tokens in the Metaverse. There are three different stages in the proposed novel fuzzy decision-making model. The first stage includes prioritizing the expert choices with artificial intelligence-based decision-making methodology. Secondly, the criteria sets for managing non-fungible tokens are weighted by using Quantum picture fuzzy rough sets-based M-SWARA methodology. Finally, the identity management choices regarding non-fungible tokens in the Metaverse are ranked with Quantum picture fuzzy rough sets oriented VIKOR. The main contribution of this study is that artificial intelligence methodology is integrated to the fuzzy decision-making modelling to differentiate the experts. With the help of this situation, it can be possible to create clusters for the experts. Hence, the opinions of experts outside this group may be excluded from the scope. It has been determined that security must be ensured first to increase the use of non-fungible tokens on the Metaverse platform. Similarly, technological infrastructure must also be sufficient to achieve this objective. Moreover, biometrics for unique identification has the best ranking performance among the alternatives. Privacy with authentication plays also critical role for the effectiveness of this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The development of the next Web 3.0 digital generation will be built on a decentralized society and blockchain technologies such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and "soulbound tokens" (SBTs). These technologies will enable a digital proof of personhood that would make it possible for people to differentiate themselves through their unique credentials and reputation. SBTs can include unique information relating to the user's identity that can enhance consumer's self-perception, uniqueness and reputation building. The literature remains scant on the underlying consequences of SBTs from a consumer behavior perspective, and consequently the implications for brands given rising egocentric consumer needs which this study addresses. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted an exploratory approach using in-depth interviews with experts to increase our understanding related to SBTs, and their potential impact on consumers' behaviors and brands' marketing strategies. Findings: The findings unveiled an SBT-led egocentrism cycle comprising the following stages: penetration and proliferation of SBTs, consumers' need for uniqueness and differentiation, brand's reputation, brand's personality matching, brand-based NFTs' characteristics and shift in the competitive landscape for both consumers and brands. Originality/value: This research is among the first to study SBTs and their potential impact in the Web 3.0 environment where digital identities and ownership are decentralized and authentic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-fungible tokens are known as unique digital assets that are stored in the blockchain. Their non-fungibility makes them different from other crypto assets. Therefore, their pricing is different from the pricing of similar tokens The purpose of this research is to identify the basic characteristics and better understanding of the factors affecting the pricing of these tokens in meta synthesis method Which is done by using Sandelowski's seven steps and by searching the title, abstract and main text of the sources in the databases that were provided until September 2023. In total, among the 86 sources found, 35 researches reached the content acceptance stage. This research is one of the first researches that has identified the factors affecting the pricing of non- fungible tokens, while so far these factors have not been presented using the meta synthesis method. The results indicate that 30 factors are effective in the pricing of Non-fungible tokens, which are categorized into six components and two main groups. The validity of this research has been explained by explaining the steps and using the critical assessment skills program method, and the reliability was measured and confirmed using the intraclass correlation method.

Abstract As the esports industry continues its rapid growth, new opportunities such as the metaverse and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are emerging, driven by the inherently digital nature of esports. To better understand viewer engagement in this evolving landscape, this study investigates viewer behavior in the context of watching esports. A survey was conducted on a sample of 312 esports viewers in South Korea, and the data was subsequently analyzed using structural equation modeling. The study's findings indicate that hedonic motivation is significantly correlated with attitudes toward esports and the utilization of esports in the metaverse. Furthermore, perceived enjoyment was found to significantly positively influence attitudes toward esports, the metaverse expansion of esports, and the use of esports via NFTs. Notably, attitudes toward esports showed a significant relationship with continuance intention. Both subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were also found to significantly influence continuance intention.

The recent advent of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has profoundly disrupted the contemporary art market, but their status remains contested. While advocates tout the democratising potential of NFTs, critics dismiss them as a speculative bubble. This study elucidates the position of NFT art within mainstream art market discourse through an interdisciplinary analysis synthesising critical discourse analysis, corpus linguistics, and the political economy of art. Examining three key 2023 art market reports furnishes empirical insights into how influential institutions frame and valorise NFT art. Linguistic patterns reveal NFTs' increasingly solid yet variable positioning across art market segments. NFT art appears well-integrated into mainstream discourse but remains emergent at the high end. The analysis reveals a complex picture, with the data showing both positive institutional framing and valorisation of NFT art, as well as the identification of ethical tensions and concerns around issues of accessibility, diversity, and sustainability within the NFT art market discourse. We find NFT art simultaneously amplifies and challenges existing hierarchies, creating new opportunities counterposed by risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tau is a microtubule‐associated protein implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders termed tauopathies. Pathological, aggregated forms of tau form neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), impairing its ability to stabilize microtubules and promoting neurotoxicity. Indeed, NFTs correlate with neuronal loss and cognitive impairment. Hyperphosphorylation of tau is seen in all tauopathies and mirrors disease progression, suggesting an essential role in pathogenesis. However, hyperphosphorylation remains a generic and ill‐defined term, obscuring the functional importance of specific sites in different physiological or pathological settings. Here, we focused on global mapping of tau phosphorylation specifically during conditions of neuronal hyperexcitation. Hyperexcitation is a property of AD and other tauopathies linked to human cognitive deficits and increased risk of developing seizures and epilepsy. Moreover, hyperexcitation promotes extracellular secretion and trans‐synaptic propagation of tau. Using unbiased mass spectrometry, we identified a novel phosphorylation signature in the C‐terminal domain of tau detectable only during neuronal hyperactivity in primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons. These sites influenced tau localization to dendrites as well as the size of excitatory postsynaptic sites. These results demonstrate novel physiological tau functions at synapses and the utility of comprehensive analysis of tau phosphorylation during specific signaling contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in the art world has led to the emergence of a unique aesthetic sensibility, ‘crypto-aesthetics.’ This nascent phenomenon is marked by the amalgamation of digital and traditional art forms, the exploration of decentralisation and blockchain themes, and an emphasis on scarcity and digital ownership. This article proposes to examine the crypto-aesthetic phenomenon of NFT art through the lens of New Materialism, in particular the key concepts of two major New Materialist thinkers, namely Karen Barad and Jane Benett. Our application of New Materialism elucidates crypto-aesthetics as a distinct occurrence stemming from the interplay of object-reality, agency and networks, sociomateriality, and cultural and historical contexts. Utilising the New Materialism perspective to investigate crypto-aesthetics sheds light on the intricate relationships, processes, and consequences shaping the art market vis-à-vis NFTs and digital art. By acknowledging the agency of matter and the entwined nature of human and non-human entities, a more holistic comprehension of crypto-aesthetics’ transformative potential for artistic expression, value generation, and cultural dynamics can be attained. Our theoretical framework offers a novel lens through which to explore and understand the burgeoning world of NFT art and its crypto-aesthetic tendencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grain supply chain is crucial for any nation's self-sustainability due to its huge impact on food security, economic stability, and the livelihoods of several people. The path grain takes from farmers to consumers is opaque and complicated, due to which consumers cannot trust grain quality and its origin. Although blockchain is widely used for fair and secure transactions between farmers and buyers, issues related to transparency and traceability in the grain supply chain, such as counterfeiting and middlemen involvement, have not been adequately addressed. To tackle these issues, a blockchain-based solution is proposed that unites farmers, warehouses, government central and state agencies, transporters, and food corporations on a single platform to enhance transparency, traceability, and trust among all parties. This system involves minting a non-fungible token (NFT) corresponding to each lot of grain approved by government officials. The NFT comprises grain quality, type, temperature data from sensors, weight, and ownership information, which updates as the grain lot moves across the supply chain from central agencies to state agencies and so on. NFTs enable stakeholders to track the grain lot from cultivation to end-users, providing insights into grain conditions and quality. An Internet of Things-based circuit is designed using a Digital-output relative humidity & temperature (DHT22) sensor, which offers real-time temperature and humidity readings, and geolocation coordinates are gathered from the GPS module across the supply chain. Farmers can directly interact with warehouses to sell grains, eliminating the need for middlemen and fostering trust among all parties. The proposed four-tier framework is implemented and deployed on the Ethereum network, with smart contracts interacting with React-based web pages. Analysis and results of the proposed model illustrate that it is viable, secure, and superior to the existing grain supply chain system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have experienced wild market fluctuation during the past years, which leads to the high volatility of NFT's daily price. This paper examines two potential volatility drivers of NFTs: macroeconomic fundamentals and investor attention. We employ the global and local economic policy uncertainty (EPU) indices as the economic fundamentals' proxies. The investor attention is represented by the Google search volumes (GSV) or NFTs attention index. Based on the empirical results of a modified generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity –mixed-data sampling (G-M) model, we find that either economic fundamentals or investor attention can increase the volatility of NFTs significantly. The monthly global EPU index adjusted by the current GDP and weekly GSV contain complementary information. Macroeconomic fundamentals and investor attention can jointly model the volatility of NFTs better than considering only one explanatory variable, as suggested by the G-M model with two explanatory variables. The results remain robust to alternative Twitter-based EPU indices and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractNon-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are transforming the digital art by allowing artists to sell unique, one-of-a-kind digital artwork that is verified on the blockchain. Although NFTs have attracted much attention from academia and industry, little is known about this innovative art practice. In this work, we focus on how NFT artists understand their art creation process, interact with NFT marketplaces, and face challenges in their NFT practices. We conducted a mixed-method study, including interviews with 19 artists and an analysis of market transactions on OpenSea and SuperRare. We found that serialization and Web3 concepts are significant features in NFT artwork creations, and artists utilize artificial intelligence and smart contracts to create artworks incorporating these features. Artists perceived that blockchain features like transparency, openness, and authentication strongly influenced their NFT trading experiences, and they also encountered challenges such as determining artwork value, rights ownership, and addressing technical issues in the creation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absence of clear protocols in the conservation of new media art has led to a situation of extreme precariousness of digital artworks. The irruption of blockchain culture and NFTs seems to offer an opportunity to overcome this situation. This paper aims to clarify whether or not the structure of data and metadata associated with transactions in the blockchain solves the challenging obsolescent and unstable condition of new media art. The disturbing reality is that the so-called 'cryptoart' is not always stored and encapsulated on the blockchain itself. In a high number of cases, assets just point to artworks living outside, stored on off-chain servers or platforms. This paper analyzes the possibilities for the preservation of art hosted on the chain. Despite some limitations, this method is understood as the more coherent and robust for long-term life and availability of digital art associated with Web3 technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of DEPARCH Journal of Design Planning & Aesthetics Research is the property of DEPARCH Journal of Design Planning & Aesthetics Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Art & Interpretation / Sanat ve Yorum is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Even as recent headlines announce the risks of crypto assets, institutional and governmental adoption continues. Undeterred by short-term price declines and liquidation of speculative instruments, blockchain-based instruments and applications continue to receive billions in investment across the globe. And yet, accounting and attestation standards have failed to keep pace with this growth. This paper focuses specifically on the development of one type of crypto asset—nonfungible tokens (NFTs)—and the relevant accounting and auditing concerns. The first section reviews the nature of NFTs, differentiating them from other existing crypto assets. The second section examines factors that must be considered for the audit and attestation of NFTs. This paper raises questions that both the academician and practitioner must contend with as these crypto assets continue to be adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In urban economics, transportation costs are a key determinant of land value. However, in virtual worlds, these costs are generally limited by the users' ability to teleport. Drawing from urban and attention economic literature, we propose a theoretical model microfounded on user behavior. The model suggests that the relative value of land parcels hinges on their potential to attract visitors. Our empirical analysis supports this by demonstrating that location remains crucial in virtual worlds and highlighting the role of the teleportation threshold. We discuss the model's general applicability, reaffirming the significance of location within most virtual worlds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification and mitigation of anomaly data, characterized by deviations from normal patterns or singularities, stand as critical endeavors in modern technological landscapes, spanning domains such as Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), cyber-security, and the burgeoning metaverse. This paper presents a novel proposal aimed at refining anomaly detection methodologies, with a particular focus on continuous data streams. The essence of the proposed approach lies in analyzing the rate of change within such data streams, leveraging this dynamic aspect to discern anomalies with heightened precision and efficacy. Through empirical evaluation, our method demonstrates a marked improvement over existing techniques, showcasing more nuanced and sophisticated result values. Moreover, we envision a trajectory of continuous research and development, wherein iterative refinement and supplementation will tailor our approach to various anomaly detection scenarios, ensuring adaptability and robustness in real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the information age, electronic documents (e-documents) have become a popular alternative to paper documents due to their lower costs, higher dissemination rates, and ease of knowledge sharing. However, digital copyright infringements occur frequently due to the ease of copying, which not only infringes on the rights of creators but also weakens their creative enthusiasm. Therefore, it is crucial to establish an e-document sharing system that enforces copyright protection. However, the existing centralized system has outstanding vulnerabilities, and the plagiarism detection algorithm used cannot fully detect the context, semantics, style, and other factors of the text. Digital watermark technology is only used as a means of infringement tracing. This paper proposes a decentralized framework for e-document sharing based on decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) and non-fungible token (NFT) in blockchain. The use of blockchain as a distributed credit base resolves the vulnerabilities inherent in traditional centralized systems. The e-document evaluation and plagiarism detection mechanisms based on the DAO model effectively address challenges in comprehensive text information checks, thereby promoting the enhancement of e-document quality. The mechanism for protecting and circulating e-document copyrights using NFT technology ensures effective safeguarding of users' e-document copyrights and facilitates e-document sharing. Moreover, recognizing the security issues within the DAO governance mechanism, we introduce an innovative optimization solution. Through experimentation, we validate the enhanced security of the optimized governance mechanism, reducing manipulation risks by up to 51%. Additionally, by utilizing evolutionary game analysis to deduce the equilibrium strategies of the framework, we discovered that adjusting the reward and penalty parameters of the incentive mechanism motivates creators to generate superior quality and unique e-documents, while evaluators are more likely to engage in assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]